YOU can call Newcastle United many things – but you can never call them boring.

Just days after the 6-0 win over Aston Villa and the feel-good factor’s return to Tyneside, the possible departure of Steven Taylor threatened to take a bit of the gloss from things ahead of the trip to the Crown Ground.

A star player transfer listed, an epic and nervy Carling Cup tie and talk of a frantic finale in the transfer window, before the summer trading period shuts for business all in one day – what’s new in the world of Newcastle United?

Just 10 days after Old Trafford, Chris Hughton’s side find themselves on a high after thumping Aston Villa 6-0 and watching the a so-called second string add to the upbeat atmosphere with a win at Accrington.

Now Newcastle fans – who saw Hughton make 11 changes to his side – will be hoping for more at the weekend at Wolves after watching a winning display from the weakened at Accrington.

United arrived at Accrington’s humble surroundings to a warm enough reception and home fans unfurled a “RIP Sir Bobby – heaven’s manager” banner before the game yet the Stanley Ultras were keen to make life hell for Hughton and Co.

Banter in the sleepy Lancashire outpost was also in full flow before the game with T-shirts for sale reading “Newcastle United – who are they?” before the game as merchandise vendors made a roaring trade at the cash strapped former UniBond League club.

On first examination of the team sheets, you couldn’t blame fans from both sides asking the very “Who are they?” question with several unfamiliar names on show.

Just a decade ago Stanley were hosting Whitley Bay on the non-League circuit but, as the tired old cliché goes, the cup can be a great leveller – and it was.

A backdrop of a housing estate with residents peering from bedroom windows and hanging over garden fences underlined it.

Hughton dipped into the “romance of the cup” line before kick-off and his instinct didn’t let him down.

Those 11 changes from the team that beat Aston Villa in the end paid off for Hughton.

But even after such a momentous day for the Magpies on Sunday, four days is a long time on Tyneside. And while with the euphoria of the 6-0 hiding of Villa bubbling along nicely only Newcastle fans should expect such unnecessary twists due to the soap opera-style history that unfortunately always seems to raise its ugly head.

That came this time with the transfer listing of fans’ favourite Steven Taylor.

However, it was his namesake Ryan that temporarily divert the attention away from the transfer saga. Accy hadn’t conceded a goal at the Crown Ground so far this season – but when Ryan Taylor let fly you couldn’t say that solid, if unspectacular, Newcastle hadn’t deserved their lead.

The problem appeared to be the wasted chances as Nile Ranger and Shola Ameobi squandered some presentable opportunities before the opener and that left Accy in the game.

When Ray Putterill levelled on the stroke of half-time, you could see the belief growing in Accrington.

At this stage the black-and-white daft family sitting in front of me who had travelled from Bournemouth to see their Toon heroes uttered: “I wish we’d just stayed at home and watched it on TV and had a Chinese.”

It wasn’t the worst shout in the world as they pondered an uncertain second half with Accy fans in great voice – no spike that, they were a credit to the game. Such is the determination in the Newcastle camp these days though, the black-and-whites also did not crumble.

Instead, an early goal in the second half from the skipper Shola Ameobi began to drain the belief of John Coleman’s League Two battlers.

Peter Lovenkrands netted what would prove to be the winner but still Stanley wouldn’t give in.

Even after Newcastle should have wrapped the game up with a host of late chances.

And even after LuaLua had struck the post, Stanley fought back and when Hessey pulled a goal back there were some tense moments during stoppage time. In the end, Hughton got exactly what he wanted for his young fledglings.

Kazenga LuaLua was outstanding with some dazzling footwork down the left and showed just what he can do in a Toon shirt.

James Tavernier, Tamas Kadar and Shane Ferguson were solid and sturdy in the back four alongside goal hero Taylor.

Both workaholic midfielder Ryan Donaldson and promising Slovene young gun Haris Vuckic put in an excellent shift, while Nile Ranger had his moments in an unfamiliar right-wing slot.

Hughton wanted them to have experience and that’s exactly what they got.

Newcastle fans wanted a place in the Carling Cup third round and that’s exactly what they got.

All in all, it was a good night for the Magpies as Hughton’s Carling Cup gamble paid dividends with his first teamers sharp and fresh ahead of the trip to Wolves on Saturday.

RYDER'S VERDICT: It wasn’t pretty at times but it’s a place in round three for Hughton’s lads.